Different types of greenhouses are available in the market today to house your plants. These greenhouses are often made of different materials such as plastic, acrylic, as well as polycarbonates. Depending on the type of material, each greenhouse has certain advantages as well as disadvantages. According to a lot of research that has been done, however, glass greenhouses are the best for plants. This is an age-old type of greenhouse that received competition from plastic and acrylic in the modern age, but apparently, it is still the best material to house plants. Reality Crazy
There are several advantages of glass greenhouses that show why they are the best option for keeping plants in. Firstly, glass is an extremely durable material that lasts several years. It is also scratch-resistant, and the surface does not become cloudy over time. Additionally, glass is an excellent medium that allows enough light to enter the greenhouse while simultaneously preventing excessive heat loss.
In the initial stages of installing a new greenhouse, glass is definitely a costlier option than plastic or plexiglass. However, glass can be maintained easily therefore eliminating the need for replacement after a few years. This is not the same case for plastics or plexiglass. Plastics are extremely prone to be scratched and damaged and will inevitably have to be replaced a few years in. Additionally, neither plastic nor plexiglass is as effective at trapping heat in the greenhouse as glass is. This means that you will incur high costs in constantly heating the greenhouse for longer amounts of time if you use these materials instead of glass.
For proper heat retention and lasting throughout the year through all seasons, it is advisable to have a double-paned glass greenhouse. This is especially effective in winter, where it will retain heat and still not cut the entry of light. However, if it seems like this is too costly an option, you can install a plastic panel on the inside of the greenhouse to prevent heat loss.
Besides saving you money, glass greenhouses also have a certain aesthetic appeal that does not come with other materials. The main disadvantages of using glass are that it is expensive to buy initially and cannot be fixed yourself. Therefore, it is also going to incur some costs in the installation by a professional. But as this article has shown, there are definitely several more advantages than disadvantages of using glass for greenhouses over plastics, acrylics, or polycarbonates. And the cost that you spend initially is in most cases a one-time cost, therefore, making the whole thing economical in the long run.
When choosing your material for a greenhouse, the main factor you should consider is how long you want to keep plants. If it is a long term commitment, glass is the way to go. For shorter durations, you can make do with other materials.
